Thursday, January 31, 2008

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Stressing that he was not aware of any "gentlemen's agreement" between Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was committed to support and be loyal to the prime minister."I don't know about that (gentlemen's agreement). I am committed to support the prime minister and be loyal to the prime minister," the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after opening a seminar for Felda mosque officials.Najib said his focus at the moment was on the soon-to-be-held general election and "I want to ensure the Barisan Nasional wins big."Pressed further whether he knew about the gentlemen's agreement, Najib said: "I don't know. You have to ask the parties concerned."He was asked to comment on the so-called "gentlemen's agreement" between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir as claimed by the former prime minister that Abdullah would serve as prime minister for only one term before passing the baton to Najib.Dr Mahathir said yesterday that since Abdullah was older than Najib, he should be prime minister for one term and then Najib should be able to take over.Dr Mahathir claimed the agreement was made in 2003 when he handed over the leadership to Abdullah. Dr Mahathir, however, admitted that he had no way of proving it.

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad said Wednesday he never intended his successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to serve more than one term and suggested he should stand down.Abdullah, who has had a very public falling out with the veteran leader, will contest for his second term in general elections expected to be held in March.Mahathir previously said he made a mistake in picking Abdullah, and should have opted for influential deputy prime minister Najib Razak."That was my thinking, since (Abdullah) was older than Najib, he should be PM for one term and then Najib should be able to take over," he told a press conference."I know it takes time to implement plans and projects but I think if that is to be used as an excuse to stay in power for 18 years then that will not be very welcome."Abdullah won a landslide victory in 2004 polls when voters were enthused by his plans to fight corruption, but since then he has been widely criticised for inaction and suffered a steep tumble in popularity.In recent months he has faced an unprecedented wave of public protests over the rights of minority ethnic Indians, as well as electoral reform and rising food and fuel prices."They see a government that is retreating and they want to take advantage," Mahathir said of the street rallies which would have been unthinkable during his term in power which ended in 2003 after more than two decades.Abdullah was Mahathir's hand-picked successor when he stepped down, but after the new leader dumped several of his pet projects he began launching accusations of economic mismanagement, nepotism and corruption.

Dr M: Be more selective

The StarPUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is willing to help Barisan Nasional campaign in the next general election provided candidates fielded by the coalition are “clean, honest and straight”. The former prime minister said he would only want to campaign for candidates who he believed could bring good to the people. “I believe that people who support the Barisan should be a little bit more selective. They should think, use wisdom in choosing the people they want to support. “If there are dead wood and corrupt politicians being fielded as candidates, the people should not support them, not even if they are representing Barisan,” he told reporters after a preview of his latest book entitled Dr Mahathir’s selected letters to World Leaders at the Perdana Leadership Foundation yesterday. Dr Mahathir said it was his hope to see the people “using their power as voters” to make changes to the leadership in Barisan and Umno as this was the only way to “clean” the government, claiming “cleansing” could not come from within the party as “everything now is being controlled and any contrary views will not be heard”. “There is a risk in saying all these things and there will be a chorus of people who will curse me, including some of my former ministers. “But I hope we will love this country enough to vote for the best candidate,” he said. Asked if it was true that there was a gentleman's agreement when he resigned in 2003 that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would only stay as Prime Minister for only one term, Dr Mahathir said: “Even if I said that such an agreement was made, I cannot prove it but that was my thinking since he was older than Najib, he should be the PM for a term and then Najib should be able to take over.” On racial issues, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia had never really attained racial harmony but was able to keep it within control, adding there were quarters that have begun to use religion when taking action. On his book, he said it contained 70 letters, all correspondence with world leaders on the crises and conflicts in the Middle East during his tenure as the prime minister. The 239-page book contains letters to and from Dr Mahathir to, among others, former French president Jacques Chirac, Prince Charles the Prince of Wales, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former United States President Bill Clinton and current President George W. Bush.

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today launched his book entitled "Mahathir's Selected Letters to World Leaders.Never-before-published correspondence with esteemed leaders from the world over, the 71 letters by Dr Mahathir, Bush, Chirac, Blair, Thatcher and Prince Charles (among others) are unique as they interpret and argue their contrasting positions on terrorism, globalisation, economic and diplomatic relations, and war and conflict.The correspondence were transparent, solid, and informative.Dr Mahathir writes directly, in his own recognisable voice and style, a unique correspondence by a remarkable Malaysian Prime Minister.It is a book to be enjoyed, on many different levels, by all who love politics, diplomacy and international relations.None of these letters have been published before and the most obvious feature is the style, the simple words used to explain various complex, issues were written in ordinary English sentences.The 237-page book, retailed at RM49.90 was published by Marshall Cavendish, an international publisher of books, directories, magazines and on-line learning.It was edited and compiled by Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad who is an MCKK-Cambridge and Harvard-educated writer, public intellectual and the founding chairman of the Institute of Political and Economic Studies (KAPE).Abdullah was special envoy to the United Nations between 1996-2000 and editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times for several years.

First thing before you begin to ask me questions I would like to thank you very much for your presence today. What my book is all about I have already explained just now so if there are anymore questions you are welcomed to ask, if I can answer, I will, if I cannot I will just shut up. Okay...Q: Will you contest in the coming General Election?Dr M : Well like the comedian who was talking about his girlfriend, he would like to but he didn't...Q: How much does the US recession is likely to affect Malaysia?Dr M : Well actually today the US should close down because it had been bankrupt for several years now. It has deficits. But because the United States owns IMF (International Monetary Fund) the IMF has not taken any action. If we were in that situation we would have been crushed to the ground but this is the US where they can print money and where they can make use of other people's money to sustain an economy that is unsustainable.But unfortunately too many countries have trade and investment links with the US and some of these investments abroad are really meant to supply the US with their products. If the US is not in a position to buy their products then these companies located in other countries including Malaysia will suffer. So the fact remains that the US economy is so big that its collapse is going to affect the world. So the world is not going to allow it to collapse just like the US will not allow certain big banks to collapse. We will feel the impact whether we like it or not. We will feel the impact. In fact we are already feeling the impact. Today we are in a state of denial and bad things are coming in the future because it is not going to be easy to ensure that the US recession does not take place. It is not easy to reverse the processQ: Tun now Malaysia does not trade much with the US?Dr M : I don't know the last figure I had was about 30% of our exports still go to the US. So 80 per cent of our trade about...100 billion a year is a very big chunkQ: Your comment on lackluster attitude from OIC in response to the problems in PalestineDr M : It is usual that they are not interested in the sufferings of the people in Gaza or Palestine. They are too busy with other things. They have never shown any sympathy for the Palestinian. Only verbal support but no really tangible support.Q: Tun akan turun Padang berkempen untuk BN?Dr M : Saya dulu saya terima iaitu saya akan bantu dalam kempen tapi pada tahun 2004 oleh kerana parti BN begitu popular saya dikehendaki tidak kempen di tempat-tempat tertentu. Saya akan kempen cuma kalau saya percaya orang yang dicalonkan itu ialah orang yang boleh membawa kebaikan.Q: Politics is dirty because of politicians or is it that politics is just dirty?Dr M : The politicians, because i am also a politician I don't play dirty politics but when people who have openly told lies and the whole country knows they told lies and they get re-elected...and (this) cause me to lose my respect and lose my faith in the political system as practiced by them.Q: In your book...(not audible)Dr M : I have claimed to be a Muslim fundamentalist. This one (Hadhari) is modern Islam which is another thing altogether. I go for the fundamentals and the fundamentals of Islam is very good. It is not like the Christian fundamentalist where they are equated with extremism. To equate Muslim fundamentalist with extremism is wrong. Its a misnomer. If you really follow the teachings of Islam, the basic teachings of Islam, you should be a very good man, a very progressive man, a well balanced person.Q: (not audible)Dr M : I always point out that for 1,400 years there have been many interpretations of Islam and many of these interpretations are influenced by the situation occurring at that time so the interpretation today is because we are a democratic country we will have elections and anything that we say can be used by the opposition in order to gain support.Q: You mean current situation our interpretation is more for political reasons?Dr M : Yes I think it is political more than religious. If its religious we need to sit down and discuss the basis of this decision and then only we can really say that it is an Islamic injunction not to do certain things.Q: You say you will campaign for candidates...does this include opposition?Dr M : No, I will not campaign for the opposition. But I am saying the people who support the BN should be a little bit more selective. Should think, should choose wisdom in their choice of the people they will support. If people name some deadwood, some corrupt politician as candidates even if they are from the BN, BN supporters should not support them. That way we can clean the party, BN and UMNO because there is no hope that Umno can be cleaned from within because everything is controlled now. Nobody can have an opinion and any contrary views they will make (is) sure will not be heard.Q: Tun mengatakan bahawa pengundi termasuk penyokong BN perlu melakukan perubahan di piliharaya untuk megubah kepimpinan BN dan Umno. Itu maksud Tun?Dr M : Ya, itu sahaja harapan kita. Itu pun bukanlah kuat sangat harapan kerana saya berpendapat pengundi-pengundi biasa pun kadang-kadang terpengaruh dengan cara yang tidak halal tetapi kita sudah hilang keupayaan untuk menukar pemimpin di peringkat parti kerana parti sekarang ini dibenar cuma mengata "Yes" kepada apa yang presiden kata. Jadi tidak ada real opinion dalam party anymore. No way you can change the leadership of the party or the way the party operates from within. If the people in Malaysia wishes to have a party that is centered on nepotism and corruption then of course they will vote for the same people and will achieve no correctionQ: Are you saying the PM for the moment can be considered in your definition as deadwood?Dr M : I don't know about what my opinion is but i know i have differences with him.Q: Lepas tun lepas jawatan PM ada khabar angin tentang fail rasuah tokoh Umno kelantan yang Tun serah kepada Pak Lah untuk tindakan...Dr M : Fail kalau ada akan diserah oleh ACA. Bukan saya punya tugas nak serah file tapi saya tahu ada kes tertentu yang harus diselidik dan tindakan diambil. Saya amat sedar bahawa kes corruption bukan mudah untuk kita buktikan. Dengan itu kita cuma akan dengar cerita yang buruk tetapi akhirnya tiada satu tindakan pun yang boleh diambilQ: When u steppped down in 2003 you said you made a gentleman's agreement for him to stay one term. In this case macam mana?Dr M : Even if I said I had this gentleman's agreement there is no way i can prove it. That was my thinking, that since he was older than Najib he should be PM for a term and then Najib should be able to take over.Q: In the 22 years of your administration, there was fast track development, many things were done in record time...PM now needs more time beyond five years to develop his projects. What is your view?Dr M : I know it takes time to implement plans and projects but i think if that is to be used as an excuse to stay in power for 18 years that would not be very welcome. But that time to implement...at this time only announcements are being made. He is already asking for time to do this.Q: The PM announced economic corridor, repercussion not now...commitments made are huge. If not able to be delivered what will happen to future PM?Dr M : What i think is that it certainly will not be delivered by the time of the election. So this is the reason why you should allow the present Government to go on so that they can implement. But the way the things are being implemented are also questionable. Giving it to the so called GLC which then gives contracts to other people, none of which are very open that is not really the right way to do things. Q: What is you greatest concern in 50 years looking at Malaysia?Dr M : Well, I think the Government does not seem to know how to progress. How to implement things. Its already quite sometime since I stepped down. (It) would have been easier perhaps to just continue with the projects already on the ground but it was decided to postpone ostensibly because of lack of funds. But what I do know is that when I stepped down there was enough money to go ahead with all the so called mega projects. Now they have decided to go ahead with some of the mega projects but the cost is very high, as much as 50 % more simply because the cost of living, the cost of everything has gone up in the meantime. So the postponement was totally unjustified. Now they realized that these are needed infrastructure.Q: Time to implement projects...you mean he should carry on as PM?Dr M : It depends upon the record you have shown in some other things that doesn't need too much time. If you show that you can implement it, the smaller projects, i think you should be given more time for the bigger projects. But what you see is just a stoppage, a kind of reversal of the previous policies and projects ostensibly because there was no funds and this is not such a good judgment.Q: Now you are complaining of cronyism and nepotism in Pak Lah's term...(question not audible)Dr M : Well I am aware that I was not always right but those people who were called my cronies were not my cronies. As a matter of fact when I was accused of these I published, I made public the list of people who had projects etc and it was clear that they were not people I know except for the very well known figures. I was not practicing cronyism but of course these (accusations) were attached to me as a kind of label to undermine my credibility (and) I cannot get away from it. But today we see nepotism creeping in. We see companies getting projects to the extent that many Malaysian entrepreneurs and contractors are now going abroad. They said there is no opportunity within the country.Q: Tun, as ahli Umno No 1. are you aware of current happenings within the party, do you get any updates?Dr M : Nothing, i am completely cut outQ: Compared to during your time the BN is no longer as united as before...Dr M : When we have a group of people working together, we must know how to handle them. They have grouses, they have differences but if you handle them properly and tackle the grouses, I think they will sit together. But if you show any weakness, giving in, people will take advantage of your weakness.Q: In the recent state assembly sitting in Kelantan Datuk Mustafa Mohamad admitted he asked you to stop developing Kelantan when PAS took over Government...Dr M : Well not only Mustafa but all the rest of Umno felt you should not develop Kelantan because if you do they will tell people..."Look even if you don't vote for BN you will still get development, so why bother to vote for BN?" - that's what PAS will say and that has always been a problem with PAS even in my constituency. If a village is supportive of PAS and i were to give a bridge or whatever PAS will tell people "Look you don't have to support the Government so support us." Because of that we had to hold back.Q: Do you think political Islam will play a big role in the next General Election?Dr M : It will be exploited to the utmost by PAS and the Government will have its hands full trying to handle it.Q: What about racial issues?Dr M : It is unfortunate because we have never really achieved racial harmony but we have been able to keep it within control. But now people are not only taking action based on race but also on religion. They say Hinduism was not something that will cause a ..... (not audible)....but now Hindus apparently feel dissatisfied with their lot and have made this demonstration. I don't say that because I agree with them. I don't agree with them. But they see a Government that is retreating and of course they want to take advantage.Q: Apa pendapat tun tentang sekiranya anak beranak dapat jawatan utama dalam parti umno. Bolehkah orang Melayu terima?Dr M :Psychology....attitude Melayu berbeza sikit. Dia sokong bukan kerana individu. Sokong kerana parti, kalau bagi a piece of log there or a stone they will still vote the party because this is my party and I cannot allow my party to lose. The Chinese are much more selective. They did not like me in 1969. They made sure I lost the election but they also made sure the Alliance won the election. So if you cause a person that you don't like to lose, it doesn't mean that the party will lose, the party will win.Q: You were reported that MIC should be blamed for the Indians' plight were you misquoted?Dr M : No, its not MIC as a political party. But the thing is that people, rather Indians, who may not agree with MIC but still wish to support the BN are not given any chance at all. In their frustration, whether MIC is right or wrong is a different matter, obviously there is no opportunity for anybody else, any other Indians, to come up.Q: What role are you trying to play in the next General Election?Dr M : I'm trying to promote cleansing of the party by the people, because within the party it is not possible to cleanse. If I say anything there will be a chorus of people who will curse me including some of my former ministers...they will curse me...so if I'm going to be cursed by them i might as well be cursed for everything else.Q: Strategi pukul anak sindir menantu...Dr M : There is a risk in all these things but i hope that we will love this country enough to vote for the best candidateQ: Maksudnya Tun boleh terima hakikat pembangkang menang lebih?Dr M : No, pembangkang tak mungkin menang lebih banyak daripada BN. Lebih banyak dari sekarang mungkin, tapi tak boleh jadi kerajaan.Q: More than in 1999?Dr M : 1999 was a different matter. A question of a black eyeQ: 99 was issues of emotion, but now isu harga barang, jenayah jadi kebimbangan pada rakyat...Dr M : Well the issues are different. There is problem of inflation etc but more important is the quality of leadership, quality of umno that has degenerated to the point where members cannot say anything. You say something you are hauled up and asked to choose between the PM and whoever. So there is not a slightest freedom that is allowed and in my case I was invited by many people and the people who invited me were called by the police not to go ahead with the invitation, to cancel the invitation. Of course you can use police for implementing the law but there is no law that allows police to threaten people that if they hold the meeting and invite me they will get into trouble. But this is what happened.During my time Tunku wants to make a speech they can make a speech. Anybody wants to make a speech, even Tengku Razaleigh, I did not stop him. But here the moment I stepped down almost I was practically not allowed to speak.Q: How do you plan to cleanse the party?Dr M : Its up to the people to vote in those leaders who are clean because the party will not clean itselfQ: But what is you plan?Dr M : I don't know all I can say is talk to you (the Press)...Q: How about the leadership,,,Dr M : Its up to the people to make an assessment as to who should continue or who should go.Q: Your assessment...will there be total change in the line-upDr M : I think there will be no total change. There will be some people who will be retained some people who have not delivered they should not be retainedQ: The young generation?Dr M : Unfortunately the young generation does not even bother to registerQ: Claims of vote buying, any proof?Dr M : In my case I have proof. People were bribed not to vote for me in my constituency and I expect that to be extended, it was nothing just a small matter but still these attempts were made to prevent me from becoming just a wakilQ: Do you think there will be outright vote buying?Dr M : There is that possibility. I was told in the by election that thing happened. Terima kasih

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday he would remain a thorn in the side of his successor in the run-up to elections, and would continue to speak his mind.Until subdued by heart problems last year, the outspoken Mahathir was the most vocal critic of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, accusing his government of lacking "guts" and selling out Malaysian sovereignty."I still disagree on several of his policies, mainly allowing Malaysians to be subject to Singapore's wishes," the 82-year-old told select foreign media in an interview ahead of Wednesday's launch of his new book.The book published for the first time his personal correspondence with world leaders including U.S. President George W. Bush, on issues ranging from terrorism to Islam and Myanmar."We are not as independent as before in terms of our attitude towards international affairs," said Mahathir, who ruled the nation for 22 years with an iron grip. "We tend to be very accommodative."DEAD WOODIn the interview, he took Abdullah to task for "wasting (public) money", dismissed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as a "daydreamer" and asserted that the domestic economy was in "bad shape" without a rally in commodity prices.Mahathir said Abdullah's ruling front would be returned with a strong majority in the polls, widely expected by March, but said voters must get rid of dead wood in the coalition."But there are certain people whose contribution is negative. These people should not be chosen as candidates," Mahathir, wearing a collarless Nehru suit, said at his office in the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers."I still support the party and I still believe the party will win with a good majority but one must not confuse support for the party with support for the individual," he said.On Anwar, Mahathir said his political enemy would not be a major factor in the coming elections."He's not a real factor," he said. "There's no more political future for him. If he thinks he's going to be the prime minister, it's daydreaming of the worst kind."A charismatic speaker, Anwar was sacked from government in 1998 after falling out with Mahathir. Anwar then led street protests before he was arrested and later jailed on what he called trumped-up charges of graft and sodomy.Released in 2004, his corruption conviction means he cannot stand for elected office or hold political office until April this year.Mahathir, who has a history of heart problem, underwent a heart bypass in September and doctors have advised him to cut down on travel and other activities, including horse-riding.The operation was Mahathir's second such surgery since 1989 and followed two heart attacks over the past 13 months.His quarrel with Abdullah came to the fore after the government scrapped Mahathir's idea to replace a causeway linking Malaysia and Singapore with a bridge.Asked if Abdullah should quit, he replied: "It is up to him to decide. It's also up to the people to decide. If the people want him to move on, if they think his administration is not benefiting them, they should make a decision."

Malaysia's Mahathir fears corruption in general elections

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - Malaysian former premier Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday lashed the government as "weak" and said he feared that vote-buying would be deployed to stem its losses in upcoming general elections.Mahathir, who stepped down in 2003 after two decades in power, echoed analysts' views that the increasingly unpopular government is headed for losses at the polls expected to be held in March.He also criticised its decision to jail ethnic Indian protesters, saying the minority community had no way of airing its grievances, and that a wave of public protests was inspired by the government's repeated errors.In an interview with foreign newswires to mark the launch of a book on his correspondence with world leaders, Mahathir said the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) would still lead the Barisan Nasional coalition."Even if (UMNO) lose 20, 30 of their candidates, the Barisan Nasional is going to win", Mahathir said, but added that voters would be sending a message with what is expected to be a reduced majority."It will give a much truer picture of the support that the government gets, but I fear corruption of the voters," he said."I hope that this kind of money politics -- I know a lot of people are collecting a lot of money now -- if they use money politics the result may not reflect the true feeling of the people."Mahathir was critical of his successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's jailing of five ethnic Indian activists under a draconian internal security law that allows for indefinite detention without trial.The leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) infuriated the government in November by leading 8,000 people onto the capital's streets, claiming that ethnic Indians are marginalised in multicultural Malaysia."No, I don't think they should have thrown the leaders (into detention), they should have met these people first and had proper discussion," Mahathir said.The 82-year-old said he did not accept the claim that Indians are marginalised, but that coalition member the Malaysian Indian Congress was not representing them properly."Here you have only one (Indian) political party and nobody else is allowed to come in and that is what is making the Indians really unhappy," he said.The Hindraf rally was one of several streets demonstrations that have shaken the government in recent months, along with an election reform rally that drew more than 30,000 protesters."There are occasions when there is a need for protest, when (the people) see that the government is repeatedly doing the wrong thing or they see the government is being weak, then they resort to protest," Mahathir said.The one-time strongman of Malaysian politics said he expected his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim, who he sacked in 1998 when he was jailed on corruption and sodomy charges, to continue to be a "thorn" in the government's side.Anwar's ban on seeking political office expires in April this year, but Mahathir was scathing of his prospects."There is no more political future for (Anwar)," he said. "If he thinks he is going to be the prime minister, he is daydreaming."Abdullah was Mahathir's hand-picked successor when he stepped down in 2003, but after the new leader dumped several of his pet projects he began launching accusations of economic mismanagement, nepotism and corruption.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: A seven-man team from Peace Malaysia is set to leave next week for the Gaza strip in the Middle East to disburse aid to the residents suffering there. Peace Malaysia coordinator Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the team would include three doctors to help the people living on the strip of land bordered by Egypt and Israel. "Ever since the Israeli siege started, they have been suffering. They lack basic necessities such as fuel and medicine. "The siege has reduced 85% of Gaza's 1.5 million inhabitants to total dependency on food aid which is the highest anywhere in the world," he said when launching the Gaza humanitarian fund on Tuesday. Mukhriz said funds were needed to purchase food and medicine in Egypt which the team would then disburse upon reaching the border of Egypt and Gaza (Rafah). "We have been in touch with the Red Crescent society in Gaza to find out exactly what they need. They have since emailed us their list," he said. Mukhriz urged Malaysians, including corporations, to lend a hand in helping the residents there. He said the organisation had a target of RM200,000 and that the public could send its cheques to Peace Malaysia at B-13-D2, Plaza Mont Kiara, No 2, Jalan Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur or bank it in to Peace Malaysia (CIMB-14209-0007389058).Aman Malaysia Launches Gaza Humanitarian Fund

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Aman Malaysia today launched the Gaza Humanitarian Fund to help the 1.5 million Palestinians trapped after the Israeli regime closed its border in June."We aim to collect RM200,000 to buy food, medical supplies and clean water for those in Gaza," its coordinator Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir told a press conference at the Umno Youth headquarters here today.Contributions to the fund could be made via cheque in the name of PEACE MALAYSIA and addressed to Blok B-13-D2, Plaza Mont Kiara, No 2, Jalan Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur or cheque deposit or cash into the account of Peace Malaysia at CIMB 142090007389058.Mukhriz who is Umno Youth international relations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) bureau chairman said the food and medical supplies would be sent to Rafah at the Egyptian border, some 300km from Cairo.The first logistics team would leave for Rafah on Feb 5 while the main Aman Malaysia team of seven members comprising three doctors would leave two days later.He said Aman Malaysia would co-operate with the Red Crescent at Gaza in determining the medicine needed to help the Palestinians who were suffering a humanitarian crisis due to the oppressive Israeli regime.Meanwhile, Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia Abd Elaziz Abu Ghoush said his government welcomed the efforts by Aman Malaysia to help those in Gaza who were under total seizure and were denied food, medicine, water and fuel.He said an unofficial estimate put the number of those who had fled across the Egyptian border to become refugees at 700,000. Gaza which borders Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean Sea is 40km long and 7km wide.About 85 per cent of the 1.5 million Gaza population are fully dependent on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, a UN agency charged with helping Palestinian refugees.The Malaysian Buddhist chief high priest K. Sri Dhammaratana, who donated RM1,000 to the fund, said the Gaza situation was not only about Muslims, but also about a humanitarian crisis which needed the attention of everyone irrespective of their religious and racial backgrounds.

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government's efficiency is improving and rated sixth best in the world in 2007, compared to its eighth placing in year 2000, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.Quoting the World Competitiveness Year Book, released by IMD, a Switzerland-based leading global business school, Abdullah said Malaysia which was measured in the group of countries with a population of 20 million and above, was ranked better than the United Kingdom, Germany, Thailand, Spain, Japan, Russia and France."Above us are China, Canada, the USA, India and Taiwan," he said when addressing about 8,000 civil servants at the 8th Civil Servants' Premier Gathering (Mappa) here Monday.Abdullah said the Malaysian government's efficiency could be seen in the enhancement of its delivery system, including in its public service sector, as a result of the strong commitment of the civil servants to give the best to the people.Besides that, he said, various efforts were undertaken by the government throughout last year to improve public service delivery, resulting in lesser complaints from the public."The efforts in 2007 were the beginning and were very encouraging. The administrators, media and public could feel the positive changes. With that, I like to congratulate the public servants who have worked hard to bring about those changes."However, Abdullah said, a lot more could be done for public service in this country to be the best in the world."If 2007 was the start, 2008 should be the strengthening phase. Maintaining the standards achieved does not denote excellence, but improving the standards and achievements to emerge the top in its class."The Prime Minister said continuity and enhancement were required of Malaysia to become outstanding because other countries, especially developing countries like China, India and Vietnam, were also not being complacent but relentlessly chasing development and betterment."We've heard of the accolades and this gives us satisfaction. But we must continue to strive to do better until we reach first-class standard in public service delivery," he said.Abdullah also reminded civil servants that a fast and efficient delivery system would have the accompanying benefit of curbing corruption."For example, if we are so slow in making a decision, it could encourage bribery to hasten the decision-making. Although this may not be rampant, we don't want it to happen," he said.Meanwhile, Abdullah commended civil servants who now have the courage to come forward to report to the Anti-Corruption Agency when they are offered bribes."This is a good thing and must be practised by all civil servants," he said.In his message, Abdullah also urged the people not to compare Malaysia with Singapore, which he said was in a different category altogether, including in economy."They are grape...and we are apple. How can you compare grape with an apple? We can't," he said, adding that as long as Malaysians instilled the spirit of "Malaysia Boleh" in themselves, anything was possible."Don't think about failing, that we cannot do this and that. It's not an option....there's no other option but success, success, success," he said.

tunku : if it's true than we should be proud of malaysia's standing in the world competitiveness but i'm confused as in the chart of this link ,http://www.imd.ch/research/publications/wcy/announcing.cfm it shows malaysia at rank 23.Can someone enlighten me please ?

IMD WORLD COMPETITIVENESS YEARBOOK 2007the WORLD competitiveness SCOREBOARD 2007(2006 rankings are in brackets)

Monday, January 28, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is indebted to Suharto for his role in ending the Indonesian Confrontation against Malaysia after he became the Indonesian president, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Sunday.In paying tribute to Suharto, the former prime minister said: "We looked up to him as a great leader and as an international statesman. For me, it's quite personal. I know him and I have worked with him for a very long time."I regarded him as a friend of Malaysia and as a personal friend," he told Bernama and RTM at his residence in Seri Kembangan on the passing of Suharto.The 86-year-old Suharto died of multiple organ failure at the Pertamina Hospital in south Jakarta today.Dr Mahathir said Malaysia valued Suharto's efforts to end the Confrontation initiated in 1962 by Suharto's predecessor Sukarno."What Malaysia valued most is that it was during his time the Confrontation ended. There was a lot of goodwill, a genuine desire to put an end to the Confrontation. He cherished good relations with Malaysia," he said.Dr Mahathir said he regarded as "absolute nonsense" western media reports accusing Suharto of killing nearly 500,000 people when he assumed power after an abortive coup by the Communist on September 30, 1965."I know this for a fact. I knew what happened. Indonesia was in a state of anarchy then and he has no authority. At the time of the killings, he was not even the president. He did not order the killing," he said.The former premier said the people should not forget the role of the United States during the Confrontation period between 1962 and 1966 as they supported the Indonesian armed forces to overthrow Sukarno who had been critical of the West at that time."The West was equally responsible for the very violent change of leadership in Indonesia. One should not very easily put the blame of the killing of 500,000 people as reported by the western media as being the work of president Suharto," he said, adding that it was Suharto who had restored law and order at that time.Dr Mahathir credited Suharto for playing a very big role in the development of Indonesia which has more than 13,000 islands and a population of 200 million."Even though Indonesia was not an ideal democracy during Suharto's time, the fact remained that he brought stability to Indonesia. Of course, there is a price to be paid," he said, acknowledging that some people had suffered under Suharto's administration.The sufferings could be worst if Suharto had not been able to overcome the anarchy and reinstate law and order in the world's fourth most populous nation.Dr Mahathir said he was not able to talk to Suharto when he visited him at the Pertamina hospital on January 14."I think he did notice me," he said.On allegations that corruption was rampant during Suharto's administration, Dr Mahathir said: "You can't blame Suharto solely for that as corruption has been there for a long time and it happens in many countries."Even in Malaysia, there is corruption. So, to put the blame entirely on him, it is not right," he said.Dr Mahathir said he enjoyed a good working and personal relationship when Suharto was the Indonesian president and he was the Prime Minister of Malaysia as they were able to speak very frankly with each other."There were always some disputes between the two countries but the disputes never escalated into a state of confrontation. We had territorial disputes although we were not able to resolve all these problems."We manage to talk to each other in a friendly manner," he added in reference to the dispute over Ligitan and Sipadan islands.Both countries agreed to refer the overlapping claims to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, which later ruled the two islands on the east coast of Sabah belonged to Malaysia.

tunku : if you are really sincere annuar, why don't you say, "i don't want to be a candidate for the next general election".that will proof that you're sincere.don't just talk in order to make a good impression but the reality is you are not a "clean" leader.datuk mustapha mohamad should lead umno kelantan not you.

SEREMBAN, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- A leader's leadership capability could best be assessed when the country is experiencing a crisis, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.Referring initially to the individual only as he (dia), Najib said "he" almost compromised the country's sovereignty to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when Malaysia was going through an economic downturn."What was his policy? Wasn't it a policy that amounted to selling our honour and totally surrendering the nation's interest and sovereignty to the IMF?" he said in his speech before about 2,000 people at a dinner function here tonight."We still remember this... Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and I were in the Cabinet at the time and we knew what was happening through the discussions."He said the Cabinet members at the time knew that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister had reduced the non-performing loan period from six months to three months.Najib said the country's financial situation turned for the worse when he cut government allocations three times in a year, sending the country into a financial crisis."....many companies went bankrupt or were almost bankrupt as a result of the action."That was why the Prime Minister then (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) decided to take on a different economic direction and financial policy."That was how we were saved from the financial crisis of 1997," he said.Najib said today, such a leader should not proudly regard himself as a capable leader."A leader would be tested during a crisis, which would show his leadership qualities."If he fails the test, today he should not be saying that, `if I have the power, I can do this and do that.' This means he's trying to hoodwink the people as he had failed as a leader when he was in power.""This is the reality... so we must not lie or make wild accusations," he added.Najib said the people must not fall for empty promises by leaders who claimed that they could bring down fuel price if given the chance to come into power."Even the superpower, the United States, took two weeks to lobby the Arab countries to increase oil production but their request was turned down."What more this country's opposition leaders who claim that they can solve the rising fuel price problem," he said.Also present at the dinner were MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, State Secretary Datuk Norzam Mohd Nor and several Barisan Nasional leaders.

tunku : "he" the moron will be cursed forever.if not for the quick action by the former pm, today we will be owing the IMF by billions.i wonder if he was under pak lah then what will happen to us.....

Thursday, January 24, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Former Deputy Home Minister Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayub passed away at 5.25am Thursday at the Pantai Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur. He was 65. The body will leave his Kelana Jaya home at 12.30pm for the mosque, then on to the Kiara Cemetery in Damansara here for burial. Also the former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Megat Junid had been seriously ill for months. He had undergone surgery for prostate cancer in 2004, but the cancer recurred in 2006 and spread to his liver, lung and bones. Born in Teluk Intan in 1942, the teacher first met former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the early 1970s when the latter was in political exile for criticising Tunku Abdul Rahman, then Umno president and prime minister. He was swept away by Dr Mahathir's unconventional political style and soon after left teaching to become a special assistant then political secretary to Dr Mahathir. He made his political debut as an MP when Dr Mahathir won his first general election as Prime Minister. Two years later he was made Primary Industries Deputy Minister. In 1986, Dr Mahathir made him his deputy in the Home Affairs Ministry, a post that many agreed was as good as that of Minister given the trust that Dr Mahathir had in him. His tenure in the ministry was often very controversial and coincided with massive illegal immigrant, the controversial Operation Lalang in 1987 and escalating drug issues. Megat Junid was finally promoted to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister in 1997 but held the post for only two years because he lost to a PAS candidate in the Reformasi (reformation) fervour of the 1999 elections.

Megat Junid's Death A Loss To Nation, Say Leaders

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- Several leaders Thursday described the death of former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob as a great loss to the nation.Megat Junid died of cancer in Kuala Lumpur early Thursday. He was 65.Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was saddened by the demise of "a close friend and colleague".He said Megat Junid had contributed a lot to the government and country."He was known for being a jovial character," Najib told reporters after officiating the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Public Service Commission, here.In PETALING JAYA, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the nation had lost a leader of quality."Megat Junid was hardworking, honest, and a minister of quality," he told reporters after paying his last respects at the residence of Megat Junid in Kelana Jaya.Dr Mahathir, who arrived at the residence with his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at 9.15am, described Megat Junid as a spirited individual and said that when he met Megat Junid three weeks ago, he was talking about politics despite being ill.Megat Junid had served for nine months as the political secretary of Dr Mahathir when the latter was education minister in 1976.Megat Junid, who launched his career in politics in 1972, had served for 13 years as a deputy minister and four years as a minister. He had also served as the Umno information chief from 2000 to 2003.Former deputy information minister Datuk Khalid Yunus, who also paid his last respects at the residence, said Megat Junid had served Umno and the country well."We have lost a good leader and I have lost a friend," he said, adding that he came to know Megat Junid when both of them joined Umno Youth in the 1970's.Umno Information Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who had known Megat Junid for 30 years, said his death was a big loss to Umno."Megat Junid was very humble and was a grassroots man. He portrayed a good image of the party and government," he said."Umno is most indebted to him. His deeds will be cherished," he said.PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub, in a statement to Bernama, extended his condolences to the family of Megat Junid.

KUANTAN: There is a consensus among Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidates who win in the general election to make way for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim if the polls were held before April. The PKR adviser, however, said if the polls were held after April 15 when he would become eligible to contest. At least 15 parliamentary constituencies that he could vie for had been identified. Anwar said among the possible constituencies he could contest in were Indera Mahkota and Pekan (both in Pahang), Bandar Tun Razak and Segambut (both in Federal Territory), Permatang Pauh (Penang) and Alor Star (Kedah). He said the matter had been discussed within the party and he believed no one would be “frustrated” with the strategy. Anwar said the number of seats for the party to contest was still under negotiations with the other Opposition parties. In IPOH, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said discussions between the party and PKR for a straight fight with Barisan Nasional were progressing “too slowly”. Hitting out at the “slow pace of the DAP-PKR negotiations” in other states, he said the Penang seat negotiations which were finalised two weeks ago were supposed to act as a catalyst for other states to conclude their discussions. “But this is not the case. The differences between the two state parties seem to be as wide as ever,” he said, after attending the Thaipusam celebration at the Kallumalai temple in Gunung Cheroh yesterday.

tunku : anwar keep dreaming, consider ppkr wins only a seat like 2004, then your wife have to give way to you. anyway there will be a by election in order to make way for you and you think it's easy.but i sincerely hope that you could contest in the GE so you would know your faith and i can predict it well that you wont get enough support from the public.coming to dap/pkr pact, you can see, they were never understanding between the pact , may it be pas,pkr or dap. so how can we trust them to rule his country.sometimes, i just which that we had a very strong and credible opposition but sad to say we don't have it.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Calls made to Hindus through short messaging service (SMS) to boycott Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves fizzled out as hundreds of thousands of devotees thronged the Sri Subramaniaswamy Temple here to pay their annual homage to Lord Muruga.As of noon Wednesday, not less than 500,000 people, both locals and foreigners, flocked to the temple to fulfil their vows, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.He added that SMSes sent out by irresponsible elements instigating devotees to hurl slippers at him as he is addressing the crowd, were also ignored."I don't think religious people pay any attention to naughty SMSes," he told reporters when asked to comment on the crowd turnout at Batu Caves following the SMSes calling on the Hindus to boycott the Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves.Describing the SMS senders as "people of low-quality mind", Samy Vellu said these sort of vicious SMSes would not dampen the spirit of the Indians to be steadfast in their belief and conviction.Samy Vellu urged the Indian community to unite in support of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, which had protected the rights of all races in the country."Don't be hoodwinked by the opposition," he said, imploring Indians to change their mindset to emerge as a progressive race in this multiracial nation.The opposition should be ashame of themselves for stooping so low as to use places of worship for their political campaign, he exclaimed.The minister expressed his gratitude to the government for declaring Thaipusam a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as more than 800,000 Hindus lived in the Klang Valley.Samy Vellu said he would ask Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam to consider declaring Thaipusam a public holiday in the state.He refuted talk that declaring public holiday for Thaipusam was an election gimmick by the government to shore up Indian community's support for the ruling coalition."Indians are not stupid to be easily swayed by gimmicks and political dramas," he said.The Works Minister expects the crowd to swell to about 1.1 million by this evening.Some 1,000 policemen from the Federal Reserve Unit, General Operations Force and traffic were deployed to maintain rule and order.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants all Umno members to go to the ground to explain to the people current and local issues so that these were not manipulated by the opposition political parties during the next general election.Several Umno leaders said Abdullah, who is Umno president, wanted the Umno members to explain, among other things, issues pertaining to education, the rise in prices of goods, and issues pertaining to each locality.Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the prime minister wanted the government's decision to abolish the school fees and provide free textbooks to all students to enable everyone obtain an education to be explained to the people.He also wanted all party members to be united and work harder to ensure victory for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the next general election, he told reporters after attending a closed-door briefing by Abdullah for more than 5,000 Umno representatives from throughout the country, here.Hishammuddin, who is Education Minister, said Abdullah also stressed on the importance of the candidate than the party in the elections.Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said Abdullah wanted Umno members to explain to the people the issue of the rise in the prices of goods and the measures taken by the government to lessen the impact on the people.Shafie, who is Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, said the people should be informed that price fluctuation was normal and that they should exercise thrift.Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the prime minister wanted Umno members to place party interests above self-interest and support the selected election candidates."The selected candidates must serve the people and should not indulge in corruption," he said.Umno Information Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib asked all Umno divisional and branch leaders to resolve all outstanding matters in their localities, such as provision of adequate infrastructure."The elected representatives should continue working regardless of when the election will be held," he said, adding that Abdullah reminded those who were not selected as candidates to support the BN candidates.Dropped elected representatives should also support the new candidates just as the party members supported them when they were candidates, he said.tunku : the members should do the dirty work so that the boss can sleep and kiss the wife at functions.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today gave the assurance that the government would strive to ensure that prices of controlled items were not raised in an effort to curb inflation and not impose greater financial burden on the people.

like he's going to check

He said he realised that the people lamented the recent increase in the prices of several goods and added that as an immediate measure the government would ensure that there was no smuggling out or hoarding of essential items.

no government in this world can control it and the increase of prices is not because of smuggling or hoarding alone.

"You can flood the market with supply of food items. If we have much fish and meat (in the market), God willing, their prices will drop," he told reporters after a closed-door briefing for more than 5,000 Umno representatives from throughout the country, here.

we are not eating fish and meat only

The prime minister advised the people to be prudent in their spending now that they had to spend more following an increase in the prices of goods.

He said the government had also abolished the school fees in the hope that this would ease the financial burden of parents, especially those who had many school-going children.

"And that is a lot of money... if you have many children in school," he said.

school fees RM4.50. Is that a lot ?

Abdullah said the government did not forget the people in the rural areas, adding that several programmes had been implemented to assist them, especially the poor.He also said that the small and medium industries were expanding in the rural areas and this could help the rural people earn a better income.The prime minister said the government was also drawing up strategies to create more employment opportunities for the people.

don't just keep drawing, we want some action.

Asked whether he was ready to have parliament dissolved soon to pave the way for the next general election, Abdullah said: "Let's see. Sooner or later, or much later."Abdullah said any of the 3.4 million Umno members stood the chance of being a candidate in the next general election, provided he or she fulfilled the criteria.He said it was more important that Umno members gave their support to the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the election.

i thought the candidates are your SIL's choice( most of it )

Umno would hold steadfast to the spirit of camaraderie prevalent during the by-election in Ijok, Selangor, last year when Umno helped ensure the victory of the BN candidate from the MIC though certain quarters wanted Umno to contest in the Malay-majority constituency, he said.K. Parthiban of the BN won the by-election, beating Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) by a majority of 1,850 votes.

let see what is the outcome , a win is 99.99% sure for BN but we hope that there will be strong opposition voice in parliament.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- "We will surely win," declared Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad of the Barisan Nasional's (BN) prospects in forming the next government after the upcoming general election.The former prime minister said he has no doubts about the Barisan being returned to power in the 12th general election."But the percentage... I don't know. They haven't told me yet, but I think it will be a very substantial victory," he told reporters when asked whether the ruling 14-party coalition could repeat the landslide victory as in the last general election.In the 2004 general election, the Barisan swept 199 of the 219 parliamentary seats.Earlier, Dr Mahathir launched "The Loaf", a concept bakery and restaurant he co-owned with a Japanese partner, Jiro Suzuki, at The Pavillion here.The Loaf at The Pavillion is Dr Mahathir's second outlet after his flagship store in Langkawi.Asked to comment on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Dr Mahathir said he did not believe the recent visit by US President George W. Bush to Ramallah in the West Bank would yield anything good to the crisis-prone region."Bush's visit will not bring any good to the region. It will be good if the visit could put a stop to Israeli atrocities, but after his visit, there was no electricity supply."By cutting off power supply, they killed many innocent people and sick people who require life support," he added.Gaza City plunged into darkness on Monday when officials from the ruling Hamas party shut down the territory's only power plant after Israel cut off fuel supplies.It was reported that the power shutdown affected about a third of Gaza's 1.5 million residents, and hours after the blackout, five patients died when electricity to hospitals were cut off.Bush ended his landmark trip to the Palestinian territory on Jan 10, with a prediction that a Middle East peace treaty would be signed by the time he left office in January next year.He had expressed the hope that an independent Palestine state would be established.

You may kiss your wife but only at certain places especially when you are a leader and a MUSLIM. If it is your wedding/birthday function we can understand or saying goodbye but at MIC gathering function???photo courtesy of http://minaq-jinggo.fotopages.com/

KUANTAN, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The police should not be blamed for the failure to solve several high-profile cases of late, and the rise in crime.Rather, Internal Security Deputy Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said, the police should be commended for their untiring efforts to set up special squads to solve certain cases."Last year, the police solved 45 to 50 percent of criminal cases, way past the 20 percent set by Interpol."This is something we can be proud of, as the police are always striving to do their best," he told reporters after presenting Chinese New Year goodies to 500 senior citizens here, Sunday.Fu said the police had never closed investigation into any high-profile case, adding that to solve cases, they needed clues and public cooperation."Crime prevention must not be left solely to the police as everyone must chip in to help," he said.

tunku : my God, the interpol just set 20% for solving criminal cases.that means 80% cases with no action and the criminals are free to act again. the police should have expertise that can solve about 70% of the cases then we would be safe but then again you are right Mr Fu, don't blame the police ,blame us the public.we are the one who are always wrong.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR,Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The awareness among Malaysians to protect themselves against intrusion of their privacy appears to have hit the roof going by the brisk sales reported for a handy battery operated spy camera detector which made its market debut recently.Nada Sepakat Corporation (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Shieldbug, which weighs only 25 grammes and about the size of a car remote control, said some 1,520 units of the gadget had been sold over the past one week and endless enquiries had been pouring in.Its Chief Operating Officer Al Hardy Fakharuddin said the company started marketing Shieldbug last month but it received a huge boost following the New Year's day revelation by then Health Minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek that he was the man caught on video having sex with a woman.The next day, Chua resigned from the Cabinet and relinquished all his posts in the MCA, including as vice president." Shieldbug is compact, easy to use and effectively scans for hidden wireless pin-hole spy cameras," Al Hardy said of the Australian product manufactured under licence in China, which is currently retailed at RM277 per unit.Nada Sepakat, which has also been appointed sole distributor of the gadget for the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, plans to go on an advertising blitz in these countries soon and expects sales of 100,000 units this year." The feedback that we receive so far shows that Shieldbug is a reliable detector," he said.Al Hardy said for the corporate sector, Shieldbug would be handy to prevent information leakage on confidential business deals and negotiations in office and meeting rooms.From March 1, it will also be available at inflight shopping on Malaysia Airlines flights.Sales enquiries can be made via telephone numbers 603 6203 2690/6203 4905; 6012 686 2900/6012 364 5352/6012 399 1044 or online at shieldbug@live.com.my.

tunku : i'm sure it will be a hit especially for the "big boys".i suggest that Nada Sepakat take Dr Chua as their brand ambassador.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the `Al-Ghazali The Alchemist of Happiness Documentary', directed by a British film producer, can become a small step for people to understand the teaching of Islam."I do hope by watching this documentary it would bring us greater understanding and happiness in our life."This is a different approach in explaining the teaching of Imam Ghazali," he said after witnessing of the launching of the documentary directed by British film producer Abdul Latif Ovidio Salazar, here Saturday.Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was one of the world's most influential scholars and saints.This documentary is, however, not about the intricacies of Islamic law and jurisprudence, nor is it a detailed biography of all aspects of al-Ghazali's life.

A subtle and moving account of the spiritual journey of one of the world's most influential mystics.

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was one of the world's most influential scholars and saints. This film is, however, not about the intricacies of Islamic law and jurisprudence, nor is it a detailed biography all aspects of al-Ghazali's life. Rather it is an account of that transformative period in his life where, in the midst of worldly success something deep within him stirred and moved him to leave it all behind in search of the ultimate Truth.The great achievement of Salazar's film is to portray the unportrayable -- the profound inner transformation that is the goal of every spiritual man, yet which few achieve in this life. Through a subtle and sensitive cinematography that takes us on a great journey through Central Asia, Salazar imperceptibly puts us in al-Ghazali's shoes. Through Salazar's own narration interwoven into the film, we understand that al-Ghazali's great inner journey was on behalf of every like-minded traveller regardless of time, place and denomination.In today's world, where Islam is usually only considered in the light of its worst representatives, Salazar reminds us of a man who has, since his lifetime, been universally considered by Muslims themselves to be one who attained the ideal of their religion. Anyone seeking to better understand Islam and Muslims, as well as anyone who feels the inner attraction of the spiritual life will appreciate this film

A spiritual journey of the renowned scholar Al-Ghazali

This is an excellent film about the life and spiritual journey of the renowned Islamic scholar al-ghazali. The film takes us through his time as the judge in Iraq, where he is revered as for his knowledge of quran and fiqh. Students flock to him. Then we see his crisis where he questions everything he knows, and he is unable to talk. He opens him mouth but no words come out. He then embarks on his spiritual journey, travelling for 10 years. He finds his truth in the knowledge of actions.In his work the 99 names of Allah, Ghazali talks of how Allahs attributes must be known by tasting the experience,and not just the word. So to know mercy we must be merciful, to know justice we must be just. Just like if you tell someone what it is like to swim (wet, buoyancy etc) they will never truly know swimming until they have swam. And so we will never know God until we have experienced what it is to be merciful, just, compassionate, etc.It makes a refreshing change to see a movie where the film is inspirational and captures the essence of spirituality , pushing us to reflect on how we view religion.The scenic shots of Iraq are also wonderful .

BUTTERWORTH, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Saturday the government is looking at the best way of reducing the building cost for houses in the country so that the people can own a house at a reasonable cost.The Prime Minister said the matter had been discussed by the cabinet and among the methods that were felt appropriate was adopting the prefabrication system.He said all the building components such as the windows, walls and doors could be mass-produced through the `Industrialised Building System' so that the construction cost would be cheaper."With the lower cost, the price of the house or rental can also be reduced and this will certainly not be a burden on the people," he said at the function to hand over house keys for the Pangsapuri Ampang Jajar Public Housing Project (PPR), owned by the Penang State government here.Abdullah also suggested that house builders in future took into consideration the minimal use of water for toilet bowls to prevent wastage.He said there should be two types of flushes for the toilet with differing water quantity to avoid excessive wastage when flushing the toilet bowl."We need not use up to a gallon of water merely to flush the toilet after urinating. This must be taken into consideration so that we can save on the use of water and water bill."The same goes for lighting. We can use bulbs which use little electricity but which are really bright. Some people say the bulb is costly but if they are produced in large quantities, the cost will be cheaper," he said.The Prime Minister also called on the people to be thrifty in all aspects of life in preparation for the rising cost of goods and services.He said that among the things that could be done by the people were to reduce the cost of buying food items by planting vegetables around their house and to rear fish in canvasses.Abdullah also criticised the wastage of food at official functions where the left-overs were discarded whereas many people were in need of food.The Ampang Jajar PPR project costing RM30.778 million was built on a four-hectare site belonging to the state government and developed by Wilayah Utara Sdn Bhd through funds from the Housing Foundation for the Hardcore Poor.

tunku : the house cost does not depends on the windows,doors etc. it's the land cost, material such as cement,steel and operation cost which push up the price.pm said that plant vegetables and rear fish in canvasses, how to do that for those who are living in tiny houses/flats as the are the one who are sufferings not those who are staying in big houses with big compound.stop talking nonsense and start concentrating on how to improve the living standard of the ordinary malaysians as we are not fortunate like you and your family.

KUANTAN: An instruction issued prohibiting Umno leaders from going abroad was to ensure members give their full attention to strengthen the party and solidify its position, said its deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. ``The decision is made by the party's management committee so we are able to focus on getting our act together to strengthen the party and make sure it is strong enough. ``There is no reason for any trips abroad,'' he told reporters here on Saturday after presenting compassionate aid to some 800 people whose homes were affected by last year's floods. He was asked to comment on a news report on Saturday quoting Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad as saying the instruction had been issued to all party leaders, effective immediately. Najib also said it was not proper for party members to organise trips abroad as party elections would be held after the general election. However, Najib did not mention how soon the party election would be held once the general election was over. He added that those who wished to organise trips could do so in the country and it was something to be related to preparations for the elections.

tunku : i don't see why banning abroad trips can strengthen the party. ELECTION IS COMING, can smell it.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Outside the lobby of the Jalan Duta court complex seven members of the Malaysian Youth Secretariat held a mini protest for about 20 minutes from 10.30am, ridiculing the answers given by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday. They held placards with slogans like “Mahathir Muda Lupa” (Mahathir easily forgets) and a caricature of him drawn by the side. We remember: The group holding placards condemning answers given by Dr Mahathir to the commission on Thursday.Its spokesman Yunus Ali said that in most instances during the inquiry Dr Mahathir had replied that he could not remember or was not aware of the situation and denied any acquaintance with Lingam when he was in power. “This is a clear indication that he has forgotten his past actions during his tenure as the prime minister. “And Dr Mahathir had once said that Malays are forgetful. Actually he is the one who has proven to be most forgetful,'' he added. Yunus said that Dr Mahathir's family and Lingam had known each other for some time as Lingam had represented the former prime minister's eldest son Mirzan Mahathir in connection with his libel suit against printer Star Papyrus Printing Sdn Bhd in 1999.

tunku : placard on ex prime minister reported in The Star but placard on prime minister is not reported,WHY ? are they scared of the prime minister or they have hidden agenda ? at least other newspaper did not report both.regarding this so called malaysian youth secretariat, i think they don't understand what Tun had answered.to the question of which Tun answered that he don't remember is not relevant to the current on going case.one more thing is mirzan appointed lingam does not means that tun have to know him too.

Kota Baharu (Bernama): Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat who is Kelantan Menteri Besar, says Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) is in 'a state of disorder' and he believes that PKR's credibility is eroding.He said PAS would not rely on cooperation with the PKR but was more willing to have straight contest against Barisan Nasional(BN).He was commenting, after delivering a weekly lecture at his party's office yesterday, on a reported statement by the PKR recently that it would not contest in Kelantan in the coming general election."We had the experience of cooperating with Parti Semangat 46 in the 1990s, then the pact crumbled and they returned to Umno,"he said.However,he said,the relationship between Pas and the PKR was still good and it would continue as long as the PKR still needed PAS as a partner.

tunku : these sleeping partners has always have doubts against each other but at the surface the look like best of friends.they only come up as a team during election.how could we trust these people to rule this country?

Friday, January 18, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says the decision whether to allow a public rally is with the police who know better about the situation.Any non-governmental organisation (NGO) planning to hold a rally should apply for a permit from the police who would surely know what to do, he told reporters here today.Abdullah who is Internal Security Minister was responding to a question on a plan by a group of NGOs that name themselves the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections to stage a rally at a stadium next month.It will be the second rally staged by the group after the one on Nov 10 last year which was held illegally.Asked on his views about the second rally, Abdullah who earlier chaired the Umno Supreme Council's first meeting for the year at the party's headquarters, said: "They always want to do many things... nothing else I want to say."A day before the Nov 10 rally, he did advise the public to reject street demonstrations organised by the group because it was against the law.

tunku : as according to tv3 news last night, they organizers asked permit for the rally to be held in a stadium. i hope IGP or the PDRM will issue them a permit as the IGP had said earlier that police will allows rally held in a stadium and so did our TPM said.

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Tolerating intolerance

Intolerance is rampant at every level and in all age groups of the society, but it is more visible amongst the younger generation as our youth can be seen losing their altitude of patience over petty issues. We seriously need to think over it as what we are going to inculcate in them, which may help them seek success in future. Will it be tolerance or intolerance?

By Samra Arshad

International Conference "Expose War Crimes – Criminalise War"

“Wars increasingly involve the killings of innocent people and are therefore, abhorrent and criminal. Killings in war are as criminal as the killings within societies in times of peace. Since killings in peace time are subject to the domestic law of crime, killings in war must likewise be subject to the international law of crimes. This should be so irrespective of whether these killings in war are authorised or permitted by domestic laws.”